B_0716_TEM_Battery

Smartphone Batteries Could Power LEDs

June 22, 2016

Turning e-waste into energy storage units.

The average smartphone has a consumer lifetime of just three years, but the lithium ion batteries inside are often discarded with them even though they can last up to five years, creating extra e-waste and squandering batteries that are still useful.

To cut down on this waste, researchers at Kyung Hee University in Seoul have developed a model to recycle unspent lithium ion batteries into energy storage for solar-powered LED lighting in rural homes, which commonly use inefficient candles and kerosene lamps or improvise old lead-acid car batteries that tend to have a short lifespan. The research team describes the logistics of the recycling and repurposing effort in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

 A standard smartphone battery can power a 1W LED lamp for about three hours or a 0.5W lamp (bright enough for reading and writing) for about six hours, notes Boucar Diouf, a professor in the Department of Information Display at Kyung Hee University. Adding a small solar panel to the maintenance-free system will give it a lifetime of roughly three years. The researchers also constructed a full 12V system made of three phone batteries, a 5W LED lamp and a small solar panel for less than $25 that can light up a room for about five hours per day.

The team’s next step involves setting up battery collection and e-waste recycling systems, as well as working to reduce the cost of solar systems for rural populations in developing countries. Pilot projects in Senegal and sub-Saharan Africa are planned within the next year.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Building Better Schools

Download this digital resource to better understand the challenges and opportunities in designing and operating educational facilities for safety, sustainability, and performance...

Tips to Keep Facility Management on Track

How do you plan to fill the knowledge gap as seasoned facility managers retire or leave for new opportunities? Learn about the latest strategies including FM tech innovations ...

The Beauty & Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Built Environment

Biophilic design is a hot trend in design, but what is it and how can building professionals incorporate these strategies for the benefits of occupants? This eHandbook offers ...

The Benefits of Migrating from Analog to DMR Two-Way Radios

Are you still using analog two-way radios? Download this white paper and discover the simple and cost-effective migration path to digital DMR radios that deliver improved audio...